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PATRICK MARMION reviews The Seagull at the Barbican Theatre: At last, a West End drama starring a movie idol that's not a dud. Take a bow, Cate
Cate Blanchett was the latest star of the big screen to have a go on the London stage last night.
Besides them, there’s a raft of other fine British talent on parade including Paul Higgins (The Thick Of It), Jason Watkins(W1A) and a doleful Priyanga Burford in this modern update of Chekhov’s late 19th-century tragi-comedy, which has more bit parts than a branch of Screwfix. We haven’t even got to Zachary Hart’s goofy hanger-on, or Tanya Reynolds despairing goth, in love with Kodi Smit-McPhee as Arkadina’s lanky, troubled, and lovelorn son Konstantin (an impressive stage debut). Even though we’re told it’s been re-tailored with ‘additional material’ (pun possibly intended) by Trish Cooke, Michael Abbensetts’ drama about Guyanese needle-and-thread man Walker (Arinzé Kene), in 1970s London, is a lightweight, awkwardly designed period garment.
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